Yes, Winter Has Arrived In Banner County

Good morning Banner County, friends near and far.

Winter has arrived. Our family took a little road trip this past weekend and I was surprised to see so many pheasants. In several different places and counties.

My dad loved to hunt and he would have enjoyed seeing all of them! Me, even though I grew up with the hunting/fishing/sports every weekend, well let’s just say I liked seeing so many of them, especially in flight.

The kids at school are ready for the big Christmas concert, which will take place at 6 p.m. this evening, December 12, in the big gym. The Entrepreneurship Extravaganza will be in the little gym from 3:45 - 5:45 p.m.

The following day, Friday, December 13, the Jazz Band will travel to Scottsbluff, where they will entertain at one of the nursing homes and also out at the mall. No time listed here.

Meanwhile the high school wrestlers will be competing at Lusk, and later that same evening beginning at 5 p.m. there will be a Mat Cats Blue/White tournament here at home, which will include a free will supper.

Other than that there will be birthdays celebrated here by: Kathy Van Pelt, Jeremy Brown, Kash Farro, Jane Baker, Brindley Lind, Gay Olsen, Sandy Adrain, and Jacey Cochran. Happy Happy Birthday!

Over The Hill And

Through The Woods

The Scotts Bluff National Monument will be celebrating 100 years at the Gering Civic Center on December 12t(today) at 6 p.m. This is open to the public and punch, coffee, door prizes and more will be offered.

At the Legacy of the Plains Museum, the Trees Along The Trail display will be open tonight, the 15th, and the 18th from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

The 13th may be on a Friday, but that will not deter the folks at the Goshen County Rendezvous Center from having the Goshen County 2 Shot Goose Art Show. The doors will be open on the 13th from 12:30 to 5:00 p.m. and on the following day from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Displayed art will be works of local and regional award winning artists.

You are invited to Mingle and Jingle at the Gering Public Library on the 13th from 3-6 p.m. Refreshments, door prizes, and holiday cheer awaits you! The Riverside zoo is all in lights as they continue their Wild Lights celebration three more evenings this year on the 13th, 14th and 15th from 5 - 8 p.m.  They offer festive activities, cocoa and more.

The Midwest Theater will play the movie “The Star” on Saturday, December 14, at 1:30 p.m., and it is Free and open to the public.

If you are running out of baking time, the ladies at the Zion Evangelical Church in Scottsbluff are having a cookie bake sale the 14th from 8 a.m. to noon at 3617 5th Avenue.

On that same date, the Leid Library in Scottsbluff is holding a “Make & Take Holiday Ornaments” opportunity from 9 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and real live (who wants to see other than live ones ) reindeer will be out at Murdochs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Those guys are really pretty cool, even without Santa.

The Truck of Love will be in town Saturday also and will be parked at the First State Bank off of Broadway from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. They accept new or gently used toys and coats, and also canned food items for the local food banks.

Also, on Saturday, there will be be a Free family event held at the First Christian Church, 2102 Avenue A in Scottsbluff, titled “Santa’s Studio & Workshop.” It will run from 10 a.m. to until they’re done. and will include photos with Santa, music, cookies, cocoa and “make and take” crafts.

Santa’s Village will also be open in Gering from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Folks in Alliance will be making a Jingle Bell Dash for United Way Saturday, beginning at 10:30 a.m. The 5k run/walk will take off from the Knight Museum and Sandhills Center, and for more information please call 763-8031.

In the evening on the 14th, the Yuletide Lights on the Prairie will brighten your evening out at the legacy of the Plains Museum from 5 - 7 p.m. That covers the weekend.

On Tuesday, December 17, there will be a Farm Bill Education meeting in Chadron at the State College, 1000 Main Street from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Well folks, that is all for now, have a great week and take care until next time. Get that tree up, time is running out!

Barb Cross is at 436-7152.